Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Important Thoughts via Ben Stein
*Sorry about the format- Blogspot is being a jerk*
Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .
The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”
In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit.
If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein
Thursday, December 6, 2012
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Part 2
So here is part two of my Christmas music sharing, and these are all modern pieces. Again, I will link you to the song rather than putting the music video in this post. If it's too big of a hassle, just let me know, and I will consider putting the videos in. Hope these bring good memories and the warm fuzzies of Christmas :)
- I Celebrate the Day- Relient K
If you are a Christian, like me, I would not be surprised if you cried or felt like crying from this song. It has a nice melody, and the lyrics hit home for the religious among us. Wish I could play the acoustic guitar part as well as Matt Thiessen does, but I'll get there eventually. (I Celebrate the Day) I also really like the song In Like A Lion (Always Winter) from that same CD. It's inspired by C.S. Lewis' book The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe.
- You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch- Thurl Ravenscroft
This song is one of the coolest Christmas songs from the older movies. While I'm kind of sick and tired of the actual Grinch movies, I love the music from the original- this song in particular. GO BASSES! If a tenor sung this song, it wouldn't be the same. The lyrics are so interesting, and I like the clarinet parts underneath Thurl Ravenscroft's voice. Even his name fits the tone of the song!
- The 12 Days of Christmas- Straight No Chaser
I think everyone's heard this song/medley by now, but to me it doesn't diminish the fact that I still like it. The a'capella is done very well, and it's funny. If you haven't heard it, you should give it a listen here. Definitely worth your time.
- The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole
There are a ton of different versions of this song out, but I still come back to this one every time. Nat's voice and phrasing is just so smooth. The version with his daughter. Natalie Cole is also good is as well, but I kind of prefer the original.
- White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Even though I've lived in California my whole life and have never had a real white Christmas, I still like this song. I think it's more about the mentality the song puts you in, rather than it being correct for the area you live in. And of course, you can't go wrong with Bing Crosby singing it either. The Drifters version is also very nice as well.
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Michael Buble
I like Michael Buble's voice, especially since it reminds me of Frank Sinatra's voice before the smoking and drinking got to it. This is a slower rendition, which is nice. Michael's voice is nice, and has a more baritone sound (i'm not sure whether he's a tenor or a baritone... if he is a baritone, he's got a great range- or at least a better one than mine). I also enjoy listening to Relient K's version, which is more fast paced and "rock-ish".
- Cool Yule- Louis Armstrong
I had to add a jazzy Christmas song, and who better to add than good 'ol Satchmo himself? I liked this one better than his version (or any version for that matter) of "'Zat You, Santa Claus?". Good for a Christmas party, especially if you like to dance.
- Milk & Cookies- Clint Black
Yes, this is country, and yes I like it *surprise, surprise*. This has been a part of every Christmas since I was a small child. This one is on Clint Black's CD titled "Looking For Christmas". I also like the song The Coolest Pair from the same album.
- Wizards in Winter-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Definitely the most epic Christmas music out there. Wizards in Winter is my favorite on their album, but I also like Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness) as well. The Wizards video is of someone's Christmast lights that they have synced to the song, which is pretty cool- I would have no idea how to do that myself.
- Run, Run Rudolph- Chuck Berry
This is another rock-ish Christmas song, and I definitely dig the 50's rock style. Chuck Berry is awesome! I wouldn't mind a rock 'n roll 'lectric guitar for Christmas either :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Part 1
So I have decided to start a new series that involves music, since most of my content revolves around video games, fantasy, and reading. Music is a big part of my like, it's what I majored in in college, and I want to share it with you. Basically what I'll be doing is sharing songs I enjoy listening to, talking a little bit about it, and then linking you to a video of the song itself (putting it into the actual post will clog up my blog). Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought that I would start off with some of my favorite Christmas songs/carols. These are ones that are more traditional- I'll post another one in a day or two with more modern Christmas songs. Hope you like these!
- Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht/Oiche Chiuin
This is absolutely my favorite Christmas carol of all time! While the English version (a.k.a. Silent Night) is nice, I prefer the original German version a lot more. The Gaelic version is also very nice. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht is the German and Oiche Chiuin is the Gaelic, in case you were wondering, and the links are performed by the St. Thomas Boys Choir & Enya, respectively.
- Carol of the Bells
Whether it's the instrumental or vocal version, I love this song. Both the Celtic Woman & the Philippine Madrigal Singers versions are good.
- Coventry Carol
This song is a traditional English song, I believe, and it is so haunting to listen to. It's even better when sung in a cathedral where the sound just echoes. I like the Hayley Westenra version, but especially the Westminster Cathedral Choir recording.
- In the Bleak Midwinter
Another Engish traditional song, but this time performed by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir. Very pretty song.
- The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A
There should be no explanation as to why I enjoy this one. Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
- O Holy Night
Was originally a French Christmas carol called "Minuit Chrétiens", but was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight. Just a typical Christmas carol, but I like the fact that the chorus is so powerful, lyrically and dynamically. I couldn't find a version on YouTube that really caught my interest, but the Josh Groban version isn't too bad.
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Another traditional English carol first published in 1833. I really like the Annie Lennox- it's pretty cool.
- Still, Still, Still
This song originated in Austria, so it is highly appropriate that I'm linking you to the Vienna Boys Choir recording.
- O Tannenbaum
Another German song, my fellow Americans would recognize this song as "O Christmas Tree". This, as with Silent Night, I feel like the original German is better than the English translation. Nana Mouskouri sings it in this recording.
- Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil
The last one for this post is a Gaelic Christmas song that I think is truly beautiful. In this version, The Chieftains play the instrumental parts with Kevin Conneff singing the lyrics.
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